Ryan’s Deli: New York Infusion
By Becky Billingsley
The voices give it away. Bob Tasso, his wife, Donna Tasso, and his brother, James Tasso all have New York accents that immediately transport visitors to Ryan's Deli from Myrtle Beach to New York.
Food prepared by this trio is also a trip to another place, and that would be to a genuine New York-style delicatessen.
These are professionals, and Ryan's is the Tasso family's 10th deli. The first nine were in New York and Pennsylvania, where over many decades they perfected their recipes.
In their new shop near the intersection of U.S. 501 and Forestbrook Road, the Tassos' days start at 7 a.m. daily with the preparation of a large variety of omelets such as Italian with sausage, peppers, onions and potatoes; Greek with feta, tomato and spinach; or a creamy one with cream cheese, tomato and onions. A Vegetarian version is made with egg whites, and each omelet comes with home fries and a choice of bread.
Egg plates can come with a choice of meats, including Taylor Pork Roll, or pancakes and French toast. Breakfast Sandwiches can be filled with Boar's Head meats, as can several Breakfast Quesadilla selections like the Farmer's Quesadilla with ham, bacon, sausage and potato; or the Veggie Quesadilla with broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes and onion.
Of course bagels and cream cheese are available along with rolls, muffins and English muffins.
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For lunches and dinners the specialty of the house is the subs, and the Tassos say the Godfather Sub is the best. It comes with prosciutto, ham, cappicola, mozzarella and a variety of fresh and crunchy sweet peppers.
A few other subs include the Smokey (smoked turkey, ham, Jack cheese), Cowboy (Cajun Beef, Cajun Turkey, Jack cheese) and the Chi-Chi (chicken cutlet, tomato, lettuce, bacon).
Cold and hot sandwiches feature cold and hot fillings. On the cold side are Sausalito Turkey, Honey Cappicola, Prosciutto and Bologna on Liverwurst; while hot choices include a BLT, Grilled Cheese, Meatball and Pastrami or Corned Beef. The Tassos also have eight paninis: Cuban, Italian, Grilled Chicken, Russian, Smoked Turkey, Beef, Turkey Sloppy and Buffalo Chicken.
Of course this deli has cold salads - there are Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, Shrimp Salad, Seafood Salad, Italian Seafood Salad, Chicken Salad, Chef's Salad, Greek Salad and Coleslaw. The Chicken Salad has a mellow and mild taste; it isn't the sweet style of chicken salad common in the south.
Coleslaw is a rainbow of julienne cabbage and vegetables in creamy mayonnaise-base dressing. That slaw goes well with a Triple Decker BLT or one of the wraps filled to your specifications with meats, cheeses or any of the other ingredients in the deli case.
The Tassos brag on their chili, and you can get a small soup of the day or chili and half a sandwich for $5. For hungrier occasions you can order three- to six-foot-long party subs.
While you're there you can pick up jars of New York-style condiments, bottled beverages, and packaged breads, cupcakes, cookies and crackers.
Ryan's Deli Cafe is at 3481 Belle Terre Blvd. in Myrtle Beach, in the Village Shopping Center. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch and early dinners, and the number is 843-236-1640.
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